I see Ilkley have raised their precept for Band D houses for 2017/2018 from £26 to £36 and will raise £252000 to protect local services .I hope Silsden will follow suite and raise its paltry £17 which generates only £50000 to a similar level in which case we would have £100000 to spend on local projects - Town Hall ? Library ? Gritting of side roads and housing estates ? A full time lengthsman ? Xmas lights like Ilkley , Addingham ,Skipton instead of Keighley's cast offs ? Making the rivers that run through Silsden attractive ?

There appears to be £160000 in the STC kitty as of now, so any increase could be well spent to benefit the local community, not sure why we have such a large reserve, but no doubt there is a reason... I'm sure local people would be happy to pay a little more on the precept if they thought it would be well spent to help local facilities.

Peter can you remember how much money is kept in reserve to finance an election to the town council, should it be necessary.

Peter
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26/01/2017 : 14:01:10

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Peter
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26/01/2017 : 14:01:53

quoteposted by midway

Peter can you remember how much money is kept in reserve to finance an election to the town council, should it be necessary. Sorry, no

regor
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26/01/2017 : 14:48:44

£24K is ring fenced to cover cost but Bradford indicate it would be £12K+

Dodzi
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26/01/2017 : 15:40:19

If memory serves correctly the lights are not 'brad met cast offs' but have been paid for by the folk of Silsden from events around Silsden and have been for some time.

gazzer
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26/01/2017 : 17:06:32

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quoteposted by regor

£24K is ring fenced to cover cost but Bradford indicate it would be £12K+Seems a very sensible amount now Bradford insist on the Town Council cover the cost.But if it is needed then what would happen if a third by-election cropped up.

midway
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26/01/2017 : 18:01:50

And the cost of the Christmas lights, paid by the council.Xmas lights petty cash £500 Xmas lights repairs £1061.88

dexter
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26/01/2017 : 18:57:27

None of the figures mentioned in replies seem to give an answer as to why STC has cash reserves of £160000, presumably this is money collected from the local precept. It grows each year as the annual precept is not spent in full. Maybe nobody knows why? There has clearly been prudent spending, and good financial control, but what is it for, if not to be spent on local facilities when they are needed?Anyone else got an opinion? This comes back to the original point of this topic, which is to use local precept money to help local people/services.

gazzer
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26/01/2017 : 19:54:21

Cash reserves are for

A working balance to even out cash flow

A contingency to cushion the impact of unexpected events or emergencies

Building up funds in expectation of future funding applications being submitted for potential large Town projects

I have to say how pleasing it is that our Town Council, unlike others not a million miles away, do not spend the precept on an annual basis.Should be proud of the Town Council

midway
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26/01/2017 : 20:29:31

Yes Silsden is very fortunate to have a great team of un paid dedicated councilors who are working hard and all hours to deliver a good quality service.

Dodzi
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27/01/2017 : 11:07:44

quoteposted by midway

And the cost of the Christmas lights, paid by the council.Xmas lights petty cash £500 Xmas lights repairs £1061.88 So that would be by the folk of Silsden from the precept then I suppose.

midway
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27/01/2017 : 13:58:32

We can also include the £2000 paid to the sports club to update their security.

grandad
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27/01/2017 : 14:08:37

Anybody wishing to know the full facts about the Silsden Christmas lights is very welcome to come along and help with them.